The Truth Revealed

Teddy stood observing through the glass as Tessa and Toby closely watched Keenan. Nearby Dominique took notes as Keenan answered Chris' questions, a dazed look on his face. The blonde auror had barely asked any this session, instead Keenan had willingly offered up the information, seeming surprised that it had all been locked up in his head to begin with.

It seemed as though whatever loyalty he had for the Network dissipated after the ordeal of having so many charms removed. They hadn't even needed to give him doses of veritaserum.

"And the last of the charms are gone?" he asked, glancing over at Audrey. She nodded.

"We removed the last of them a few days ago. He should have recovered everything by now," she said. "We've been writing down everything he says when you're not around. Seems now that he's recovered them, he can't stop talking."

"Anything useful?" he asked, still trained on Keenan. Dominique glanced back at him, her eyes wide as she stopped writing momentarily.

"He keeps going on about how Magnus was obsessed with the Woods," Audrey said with a sigh. Teddy frowned as he nodded.

"Unfortunately, that's nothing we didn't already know," he replied.

"Yea, but I think it's a bit deeper than we thought," she said. "He shifted his focus from finding out as much information as he could to solely bringing in one or all of them - Iris and Daisy in particular. At the time, thought it easier than going after the triplets."

Soon, Keenan stopped talking, dropping his head down as he rubbed his temples, and the team stood, walking into the room as a guard walked in and led him away.

"What did you find out?" Teddy asked.

"Few more safe house locations," Dominique said, looking down at her notes. "And Magnus was rather focused on the Woods. He thought Remus and Alan were gifted as well, though he likely knows they're not by now." She looked up at him. "He was most focused on Daisy and Iris." Teddy looked over at Audrey, who just shrugged. "He was convinced they would be the key to going beyond the veil and bringing back Grindelwald."

"But they've gone public. Said they can't," Teddy said, frowning.

"I know, but doesn't mean he hasn't given up on it. Even though he didn't see what Daisy could do - and they've said they couldn't - it might not have stopped him from thinking they could," Dominique said.

"We've kept it under wraps. Only we know what Daisy can do," Chris said. "But… just the belief… could be enough for them to attempt to take Daisy or Iris again. Or Jamie for that matter."

"We've already increased the protective wards on all their homes and such. The Woods are taking precautions," Teddy said.

"Teddy… you should have heard Keenan go on about it. Magnus is obsessed. He's already taken them once. He's going to try again," Dominique said solemnly. "We've got to do more to protect them - Daisy especially." Teddy studied her a moment and then nodded.

"Right, we should increase security around the Woods. I want aurors assigned to to watch their homes, the stadiums, the shop. And to follow them whenever they leave the house," he said. He then focused on Dominique and Chris. "And you two and Rollins, keep looking into Witt and Richards. If they are meeting with anyone unsavory or there's even a whiff of a connection to the Network, I want to know immediately. So far all we've got are funny feelings and no evidence."

"Yes, sir," Dominique and Chris said.

"Good. Let's get back to work," Teddy said as he turned and started to leave. The rest followed with Toby and Tessa trailing behind.

"So, you've about wrapped up with all the memory charms," he said, glancing over at her. Tessa nodded.

"Yes. Soon all of them will be removed from the prisoners," she replied.

"And then I suppose you'll be going back to the island?" Toby asked. Tessa glanced at him and smiled slightly.

"I plan to. This place, it has grown on me, but I miss home," she said softly.

"I understand. Though, I suppose I had hoped you'd stay a bit longer," he admitted, running his hand up the back of his neck. Tessa looked over at him, eyes wide.

"Why is that?" she asked. Toby's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Well, I was hoping to learn more," he stuttered. "I mean… you're brilliant at this, and, and, there's much I could learn and all…"

Tessa smiled and looked down, playing with her braid.

"You are too kind, Toby," she said.

"But it's true!" Toby exclaimed. "You're remarkable!" Tessa glanced at him and back at the floor.

"Well… perhaps… I could stay a bit longer. Teach you some things," she said, her own cheeks starting to heat up. A goofy grin broke out across Toby's face. "As long as the Woods do not mind."

"They won't," Toby said.

"We can start tonight… after work?" she asked.

"Brilliant," Toby said. "I'll come over after I finish here." Tessa smiled brightly.

"Then it is settled," she said softly.


As soon as they arrived back at the auror department, the twins were casually sitting in Teddy's office.

"Ah good, they're back," Teddy said happily. He looked around, noticing that the MACUSA team was out, and started to grin even more. "Molly, join us for the briefing." She looked up from her desk and quickly followed the four into his office.

"There you are," Aleka said, smiling as she sat up. "We've been waiting a bit."

"Sorry, we were down interrogating a prisoner. What did you find?" Teddy asked after Dominique did some quick privacy spells. Aleka looked over at Alekos.

"The safe houses were abandoned - some rather quickly. They were in various states of disarray," she said. The team suddenly looked a bit crestfallen. "The one in Scandinavia was the most quickly left, though they cleaned up after themselves well. They had left not long before we arrived. We believe someone must have tipped them off that we were coming."

"So you think that we do have a mole?" Teddy asked, frowning.

"It would seem that way," Alekos replied. "Someone is giving them information from the Ministry." Teddy sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his hair, the locks quickly turning a light brown from their more vibrant blue.

"At least Keenan gave us more locations," he said. "Also said Magnus was obsessed with the Woods."

"Which is nothing new," Chris added. The twins frowned slightly.

"You are protecting them, yes?" Aleka asked. Teddy nodded.

"We've taken measures though we're about to start work on a stronger security detail," he said. "Did you find anything useful?"

"There was nothing there, at least that is what the Network thinks," Alekos said. Teddy perked up. "As you know, we have gifts. We found some things. And we can use it to track their new locations."

"That's good news," Teddy said, brightening slightly.

"They are good," Aleka said. "They will keep moving. Try to stay ahead of us. But we are better. And we will find them." She glanced at her twin, grinning.

"Then keep at it. Fill us in when you find something," he said. The twins stood and nodded. They then disappeared. Teddy looked around his team. "Update Tori, but this news, it stays with us. If there is a mole, I don't want to chance them finding out." He looked out of his office, noticing the MACUSA team walking in.

"Who should we get on protection duty?" Chris asked. Teddy looked at him and thought a moment.

"Bring in Michaels, Travers and Dickson. Their teams have been thoroughly vetted and I'm confident the mole couldn't be on those teams," he said. "I'll inform Pace." Chris nodded.

"Got it."


Tori kept her eyes trained on the two figures walking in front of her and Chris. They kept a decent distance, but not so far that they lost them in the crowd. Chris had transfigured them so they weren't recognizable.

"This feels weird," Tori said. "Trailing my own boss."

"But you have to admit that they've been suspicious," Chris said. "Following Daisy to the bachelorette party and all. Wanting you to spy on them."

"Didn't say I was against it. Just said it was weird," Tori replied. Chris nodded as they watched the two enter a pub. They followed and found a table nearby, but out of Witt and Richards' eyesight so they could watch them in relative peace. Chris ordered two pints and then quietly cast a few charms that would allow them to hear the conversation.

For the most part, the two were talking about some muggle sport. Baseball.

Tori sighed as she propped her chin in her hand, randomly glancing over at the two.

"Do this often?" she asked.

"Stakeouts? Or following my boss?" Chris asked with a slight smile.

"Stakeouts," she said.

"Comes with the territory," he said. "Though usually it's me and Dominique. Before that it was me and Teddy."

"Imagine it's a bit easier for him," she replied.

"Comes in handy. He gets it from his mum," Chris said. "And then Daisy was always using it in school. She and Teddy had some fun with it back in the day." Tori smiled slightly. "Once Alan convinced her to change into him and cover for him in a tutoring session. Turns out the girl just wanted to snog the whole time." Tori snorted slightly and took a sip of her pint after it appeared.

"I bet she was not happy about that," she replied.

"Livid. By the end of it Alan had bats flying out of his nose while Remus couldn't stand because of the jelly-legs jinx she hit him with," Chris said.

"Why Remus too?" Tori asked.

"He was originally supposed to go, but talked Pix into it instead because she was better at whatever subject Alan was supposed to be tutoring," Chris said. Tori shook her head, looking back over at Witt and Richards, who were now tucking into some hamburgers, still going on about baseball.

"I don't think I could ever get enough of Wood stories," she said. "Always wished I had siblings." Chris chuckled.

"Life certainly is never boring around them," he said. He fixed his blue eyes on her. "So no brothers and sisters?" She shook her head.

"Mom insisted that one was enough. Especially with Dad always leaving us alone while he was on missions," she said. "You?"

"One older brother. He was a prick in school but we get on now that we're older," he said. "He got married a few years ago. I've got two nieces." Tori's eyebrows. "What?"

"Just… hard to imagine you as an uncle," she said with a chuckle. Chris shrugged.

"I go over to see the girls when I can," he said. "They're two and three."

"Close," Tori commented.

"Well, Amy, the younger one, was a bit of a surprise according to my brother and his wife," Chris said. Tori nodded and returned to watching the two.

"So you and Daisy?" she asked, her dark brown eyes flicking over to him. Chris smiled and shook his head.

"Figured you'd ask about that. Yea, her fifth year and my seventh," he said. "We kept it a secret. Lasted a few months."

"Why a secret?" she asked.

"I was best friends with the triplets. We were worried Jamie would lose it. Which he did. Gave me a nasty black eye," he said. Tori's eyes widened.

"Jamie is that protective?" she asked.

"He was. He's gotten better at it. We didn't keep in touch after that for a few years," he said, frowning slightly.

"Really?" she asked. Chris nodded.

"Then Pix and I sort of got together again for a bit that summer after. The triplets were busy training - Jamie made first string while Remus and Alan were on reserves. Her dad was juggling Puddlemere and Pix's training, but she still had some free time. So… she'd sneak out and we'd meet up. Though I'm fairly sure her mum knew about it," he said.

"And then?" Tori asked. Chris shrugged.

"And then, nothing. We broke it off when I started auror training and she went back to Hogwarts for her sixth year. Didn't meet again until she started with the Arrows," he said casually.

"So it wasn't anything serious?" she asked, glancing over at Witt and Richards. Chris chuckled as he shook his head.

"Not really. At the time, maybe it seemed that way a bit, but Pix had been up front about us not being serious - she had quidditch to focus on. And once I started auror training, I quickly got over that," he said. He studied Tori a bit before speaking again. "Does it bother you? That I dated Daisy?" Tori frowned.

"No. Why would it bother me? It was years ago. School romance," she said lightly.

"Just… you seem to be rather interested in it," he said, smiling slightly. He glanced over at the two MACUSA aurors. "Still talking baseball." Tori studied him a bit and tried to arrange her face into a blase appearance. It did bother her slightly, though she wasn't sure why. Well, no. That was a lie. She knew she was starting to develop a crush on the handsome auror. But at the same time, she knew she needed to ignore it. She needed to be focused on the case. Once it was over she'd go back to New York and she wasn't sure if she could do long distance.

"It's interesting. First you. Then John. Even Toby. Seems like you guys just can't get away from Daisy," she said, looking back at the two. Chris looked back at her.

"I got back into my friendship with the triplets. Daisy's just part of the deal with that, seeing how close they all are. Sure it's the same with John, though that's a bit more complicated," he said with a sigh. "I did have another relationship after that. One that was more serious." Tori looked at him.

"What happened?" she asked. Chris smiled slightly.

"As you said, the job," he said. "You know what it's like. The secrets. The missions. Got to be too much. I didn't want her hurt and thought she'd be better off with someone who could be there for her more." Tori nodded and looked down at the pint glass.

"Seems aurors are destined to be alone," she said.

"That's not true. Look at Teddy and Victoire," Chris said. Tori chuckled.

"I don't know how he makes that work," she said, shaking her head.

"Easy, they've been together forever. Destined, as it were," he said.

"Like Daisy and Wills?" Tori asked. Chris nodded.

"And Jamie and Lila," he said. "And Laura and Remus. Lucy and Ryan. I'm surrounded by destined couples." Tori held her glass up.

"To the perpetually single," she said.

"I'll drink to that," Chris said. The two drank and turned their attention back to Witt and Richards.

"You hear from the President?" Witt asked. Tori and Chris were immediately paying rapt attention.

"No, not recently," Richards said. "But soon." Witt nodded.

"Well, I'm done. And ready to get some shut-eye," he replied.

"Same here," Richards said with a sigh.

"It's early for that," Tori commented softly.

"I know," Chris said. They watched as the two paid and then left. They waited a bit before leaving money on the table and then walked out, falling into step together as they walked a few feet behind Witt and Richards. They went back to the inn where the MACUSA team was staying. Tori sighed as they went in.

"Well that was a whole lot of nothing," Tori said.

"Why would they be contacting the president?" Chris asked.

"Status updates. Richards is supposed to be sending them weekly or whenever he gets information. Though I know Teddy's been sending his own," Tori replied. She stopped and looked over at Chris. "I suppose this is where I leave you." He nodded and glanced around, then met her eyes.

"Care to get a drink? It's still early," he said. Tori smiled.

"Rain check? I've got some files to go over," she said. Chris nodded.

"Understood. I'll see you tomorrow," he said. Tori nodded.

"Night, Abbott," she said.

"Night, Rollins."


Hardwick walked into the dodgy pub, sat down at a back table and ordered a firewhisky. He scanned the place, noting that no one seemed to notice him walk in. He sat for a couple minutes before the man from the alley walked in, glancing around. He walked over and sat across from Hardwick. He ordered his own drink.

"Any news?" Hardwick asked. The man was silent for a few moments before answering.

"Already told Magnus, but they got information from Keenan. They are increasing security around the Woods," he said with a sigh. "This complicates things. We were already struggling to work around the security in place." Hardwick frowned.

"So they have aurors tailing them now?" he asked. The man nodded.

"Homes. Workplaces. They've increased the protective wards as well," he said, taking another large drink. "Not to mention I'm sure Daisy, Jamie and Iris are going to continue orbing everywhere. Staying off the streets."

"That does make it more difficult," Hardwick said, frowning. He sat silently in thought for a few moments before his face lit up.

"What?" the man asked.

"It'll be difficult," he said. "But I think I've an idea. If it works, it'll be grand and Daisy'll be ours." The man leaned closer across the table.

"What are you suggesting?" he asked.

"There is a place where Daisy will be more vulnerable. Distracted. Everyone else will as well," he said.

"Where?" the man asked.

"Where do you think?" Hardwick asked. The man stopped for a moment, thinking. He then started to slowly grin.

"I think Magnus was wrong about you, Hardwick," he said. "You're a lot smarter than you appear."

"It'll need a lot of planning to pull it off, but it's possible. And it's more likely than any other place," he said. The man held his glass up.

"To the Network," he said softly. Hardwick clinked his glass against him.

"To the Network."


So, went and planned out a few more chapters, so we're still not halfway through. But getting a decent amount done. The details are finally all coming together...

AleenaBean - Haha, I feel comfortable enough to say that the only person who attempts to ruin Lucy and Ryan's wedding is Lucy and her hysterics. But it's a bunch of good fun and mushiness. I wasn't about to do that to Luce. As for the mole... we shall see...

As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!